Toe-piece of a ski binding

ABSTRACT

A toe-piece of a ski binding has a base fixable to a ski, a first jaw, a second jaw, a first pin on the first jaw for inserting in a first lateral hole a ski boot tip, and a second pin on the second jaw for inserting in a second lateral hole opposite the first lateral hole in the ski boot tip. The toe-piece also has a first guide and a second guide on the base, each with a portion extending away from a longitudinal axis of the ski and another second portion extending towards the front of the ski. Two sliding elements on the first jaw engage slidably along the first guide and two sliding elements on the second jaw engage slidably along the second guide.

The present invention relates to the technical sector concerning skibindings, with particular reference to a toe-piece of the ski binding.

In ski mountaineering toe-pieces of ski bindings are used which enableunhooking the ski boot during descent where there is a fall, or a twistof a foot, or in any case each time the ski boot transmits to thetoe-piece of the ski binding a transversal force directed towards theoutside, greater than a threshold value.

An example of a toe-piece of the ski binding of this type is the onedivulged in patent no. EP1907078 which comprises: a base which isfixable to a ski; a first jaw; a second jaw; a first pin for insertingin a first lateral hole fashioned in the tip of a ski boot, which firstpin is borne by the first jaw; a second pin for inserting in a secondlateral hole opposite the first lateral hole fashioned in the tip of theski boot, which second pin is borne by the second jaw. The first jaw andthe second jaw are rotoidally coupled to the base by means of respectivepins that are perpendicular to the base, in order to enable thetoe-piece of the ski binding to be hooked or unhooked from the ski boot.

The aim of the present invention consists in describing a toe-piece of aski binding that offers an alternative to what is described in theforegoing.

The above is attained by a toe-piece of a ski binding according to claim1.

Specific embodiments of the invention will be described in the followingpart of the present description, according to what is set down in theclaims and with the aid of the accompanying tables of drawings, inwhich:

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are respectively two perspective views and a lateralview of a toe-piece of a ski binding according to the invention, in afirst hooked configuration of the ski boot

FIG. 1D is a view alike to that of FIG. 1C where the base has beenomitted in order better to view the remaining elements of the toe-pieceof the ski binding;

FIGS. 1E, 1F and 1G are respectively a view of section A-A of FIG. 1C, apartial view of section E-E of FIG. 1C and a view of section B-B of FIG.1D;

FIG. 1H is a view of section F-F of FIG. 1G;

FIGS. 1I and 1L are respectively a view of section C-C of FIG. 1C and aview of section D-D of FIG. 1C;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are respectively two perspective views and a lateralview of a toe-piece of a ski binding according to the invention, in afirst unhooked configuration of the ski boot;

FIG. 2D is a view alike to that of FIG. 2C where the base has beenomitted in order better to view the remaining elements of the toe-pieceof the ski binding;

FIGS. 2E, 2F and 2G are respectively a view of section A-A of FIG. 2C, apartial view of section E-E of FIG. 2C and a view of section B-B of FIG.2D;

FIG. 2H is a view of section F-F of FIG. 2G;

FIGS. 2I and 2L are respectively a view of section C-C of FIG. 2C and aview of section D-D of FIG. 2C;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are respectively two perspective views and a lateralview of a toe-piece of a ski binding according to the invention, in asecond unhooked configuration of the ski boot;

FIG. 3D is a view alike to that of FIG. 3C where the base has beenomitted in order better to view the remaining elements of the toe-pieceof the ski binding;

FIGS. 3E, 3F and 3G are respectively a view of section A-A of FIG. 3C, apartial view of section E-E of FIG. 3C and a view of section B-B of FIG.3D;

FIG. 3H is a view of section F-F of FIG. 3G;

FIGS. 3I and 3L are respectively a view of section C-C of FIG. 3C and aview of section D-D of FIG. 3C;

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are respectively two perspective views and a lateralview of a toe-piece of a ski binding according to the invention, in asecond hooked configuration of the ski boot;

FIG. 4D is a view alike to that of FIG. 4C where the base has beenomitted in order better to view the remaining elements of the toe-pieceof the ski binding;

FIGS. 4E, 4F and 4G are respectively a view of section A-A of FIG. 4C, apartial view of section E-E of FIG. 4C and a view of section B-B of FIG.4D;

FIG. 4H is a view of section F-F of FIG. 4G;

FIGS. 4I and 4L are respectively a view of section C-C of FIG. 4C and aview of section D-D of FIG. 4C.

With reference to the accompanying figures, reference numeral (1)denotes in its entirety a toe-piece of the ski binding according to thepresent invention, comprising: a base (2) which is fixable to a ski; afirst jaw (3); a second jaw (4); a first pin (5) for inserting in afirst lateral hole fashioned in the tip of a ski boot, which first pin(5) is borne by the first jaw (3); a second pin (6) for inserting in asecond lateral hole opposite the first lateral hole fashioned in the tipof the ski boot, which second pin (6) is borne by the second jaw (4); afirst guide (7) which is borne by the base (2), which has a firstportion (8) which extends away from the longitudinal axis of the ski,when the base (2) is fixed to the ski, and which has a second portion(9), following the first portion (8), which extends towards the frontpart of the ski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski; a second guide(10) which is borne by the base (2), which has a third portion (11)which extends away from the longitudinal axis of the ski, when the base(2) is fixed to the ski, and which has a fourth portion (12), followingthe third portion (11), which extends towards the front part of the ski,when the base (2) is fixed to the ski; a first couple of slidingelements (13) which is borne by the first jaw (3) and which is formed bya first sliding element (14) and a second sliding element (15), whichfirst sliding element (14) and second sliding element (15) slidablyengage, one following the other, along the first guide (7); a secondcouple of sliding elements (16) which is borne by the second jaw (4) andwhich is formed by a third sliding element (17) and a fourth slidingelement (18), which third sliding element (17) and fourth slidingelement (18) slidably engage, one following the other, along the secondguide (10).

The toe-piece of the ski binding (1) is configured so as to assume afirst hooked configuration of the ski boot (A1), (see FIGS. 1A-1L), inorder to hook the tip of a ski boot, wherein the first pin (5) and thesecond pin (6) are located away from one another by a first distance,wherein the first sliding element (14) and the second sliding element(15) are located in the first portion (8) of the first guide (7), andwherein the third sliding element (17) and the fourth sliding element(18) are located in the third portion (11) of the second guide (10); afirst unhooked configuration of the ski boot (S1) (see FIGS. 2A-2L), forunhooking the tip of a ski boot, which first unhooked configuration ofthe ski boot (S1) is obtained starting from the first hookedconfiguration of the ski boot (A1) after the first couple of slidingelements (13) has carried out a first run along the first guide (7) andthe second couple of sliding elements (16) has carried out a second runalong the second guide (10) (compare FIGS. 1B and 2B and FIGS. 1F and2F), so that the first pin (5) and the second pin (6) reach a seconddistance that is greater than the first distance; and a second unhookedconfiguration of the ski boot (S2) (see FIGS. 3A-3L), for unhooking thetip of a ski boot, which second unhooked configuration of the ski boot(S2) is obtained starting from the first hooked configuration of the skiboot (A1) after the at least one from between the first couple ofsliding elements (13) and the second couple of sliding elements (16) hascarried out a third run and/or a fourth run, longer than the first runand second run (compare FIGS. 2B and 3B, and 1B and 3B and FIGS. 2F and3F, and 1F and 3F), respectively along the first guide (7) and/or thesecond guide (10), along which third run at least one from between thefirst sliding element (14) and the second sliding element (15) of thefirst couple of sliding elements (13) is arranged in the second portion(9) of the first guide (7) and/or along which fourth run at least onefrom between the third sliding element (17) and the fourth slidingelement (18) of the second couple of sliding elements (16) is arrangedin the fourth portion (12) of the second guide (10), so that the firstpin (5) and the second pin (6) reach a third distance and so that thefirst pin (5) and/or the second pin (6) is/are orientated obliquely withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the ski, when the base (2) is fixedto the ski, so that the tip of the ski boot can move away transversallywith respect to the longitudinal axis of the ski, when the base (2) isfixed to the ski.

The expression “move away transversally with respect to the longitudinalaxis of the ski” is taken to mean that the ski boot moves away withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the ski carrying out a movementwhich has at least one perpendicular component with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the ski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski.

The expressions “at least one from among the first sliding element (14)and the second sliding element (15)” and “at least one from among thethird sliding element (17) and the fourth sliding element (18)” shouldbe understood as, respectively, at least the sliding member (14, 15 and17, 18) of the first couple of sliding elements (13) and of the secondcouple of sliding elements (16) which is further away from thelongitudinal axis of the ski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski.

It is further specified that the second unhooked configuration of theski boot (S2) is the automatic unhooked configuration of the ski bootduring the descent, i.e. the configuration that the toe-piece of the skibinding (1) assumes in the case of impacts or urges on the toe-piece ofthe ski binding (1) or on the ski boot, which are translated into afirst transversal force and directed towards the outside and/or into asecond transversal force and directed towards the outside which acts onthe first jaw (3) and/or on the second jaw (4) and which are/is of ahigher intensity than a first threshold value and/or a second thresholdvalue.

Generally only one from between the first jaw (3) and the second jaw (4)is affected, respectively, by a first transversal force and directedoutwards that is of a higher intensity than a first threshold valueand/or a second transversal force directed outwards that is greater thanthe second threshold value. In detail, in FIGS. 3A-3L, only the firstjaw (3) is affected by the first transversal force and directed towardsthe outside, so only the first couple of sliding elements (13) performsa third run, drawing with it the respective jaw (3), while the other ispractically stopped in the position assumed at the first hookedconfiguration of the ski boot (A1).

However, in a case in which, on the toe-piece of the ski binding (1), oron the ski boot, there act, at the same time, or at a brief time lapsefrom one another, a first transversal force directed outwardly and asecond transversal force directed outwardly, opposite the firsttransversal force, which affect, respectively, the first jaw (3) and thesecond jaw (4), then the first couple of sliding elements (13) and thesecond couple of sliding elements (16) can respectively perform, oneindependently of the other, a third run and a fourth run, drawing thefirst jaw (3) and the second jaw (4), up to reaching the position theyassume at the second unhooked configuration (S2) of the ski boot.

The first jaw (3) is preferably C-shaped and comprises a first part (40)to which the first pin (5) is constrained and a second part (41) towhich the first couple of sliding elements (13) is constrained (seeFIGS. 1A, 1C, 1D, 1H, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2H, 3A, 3C, 3H, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D, and4H).

The first pin (5) is preferably fixed to the first part (40).

The first jaw (3) is preferably constrained to the base (2) so that onlythe sliding of the first couple of sliding elements (13) is enabledalong the first guide (7) (see FIGS. 1A, 1C, 1D, 1H, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2H, 3A,3C, 3H, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D, and 4H).

The first couple of sliding elements (13) preferably rolls along thefirst guide (7), to limit friction forces.

Alternatively, the first couple of sliding elements (13) might slidealong the first guide (7).

Likewise, the second jaw (4) is preferably C-shaped and comprises athird part (42) to which the second pin (6) is constrained and a fourthpart (43) to which the second couple of sliding elements (16) isconstrained (see FIGS. 1A, 1C, 1D, 1H, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2H, 3A, 3C, 3H, 3D,4A, 4C, 4D, and 4H).

The second pin (6) is preferably fixed to the third part (42).

The second jaw (4) is preferably constrained to the base (2) so thatonly the sliding of the second couple of sliding elements (16) isenabled along the second guide (10) (see FIGS. 1A, 1C, 1D, 1H, 2A, 2C,2D, 2H, 3A, 3C, 3H, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D, and 4H).

The second couple of sliding elements (16) preferably rolls along thesecond guide (10), to limit friction forces.

Alternatively, the second couple of sliding elements (16) might slidealong the second guide (10).

With particular reference to FIGS. 1B, 1F, 2B, 2F, 3B, 3F, 4B, and 4F,the first guide (7) and the second guide (10) are preferably fashionedin the base (2). In detail, the first guide (7) and the second guide(10) are each defined by a relative cut made in the base (2) andprofiled so as to receive and guide, one following another,respectively, the first sliding element (14) and the second slidingelement (15) and the third sliding element (17) and the fourth slidingelement (18).

Alternatively, in an embodiment that is not illustrated of the toe-pieceof the ski binding (1), the first guide (7) and the second guide (10)can be borne by the base (2), for example can be guide rails or rails ofvarious types, fixed to the base (2) to receive and guide, one followinganother, respectively, the first sliding element (14) and the secondsliding element (15) and the third sliding element (17) and the fourthsliding element (18).

The first jaw (3) is preferably coupled to the base (2) by means of thecoupling between the first couple of sliding elements (13) and the firstguide (7) so that the first jaw (3) can move parallel to the base (2).

Likewise, the second jaw (4) is preferably coupled to the base (2) bymeans of the coupling between the second couple of sliding elements (16)and the second guide (10) so that the second jaw (4) can move parallelto the base (2).

The first guide (7) can preferably be a curved guide, so as to make themovement of the first couple of sliding elements (13) along the firstguide (7) more fluid (see for example FIGS. 1B, 1F, 2B, 2F, 3B, 3F, 4B,4F).

Likewise, the second guide (10) can preferably be a curved guide, so asto make the movement of the second couple of sliding elements (16) alongthe second guide (10) more fluid (see for example FIGS. 1B, 1F, 2B, 2F,3B, 3F, 4B, 4F).

In particular with reference to the preferred embodiment illustrated inthe figures (see for example FIGS. 1B, 1F, 2B, 2F, 3B, 3F, 4B, 4F), thefirst guide (7) and the second guide (10) preferably have an L-shapewith a bevelled corner. The L-shape is orientated in such a way that thefirst branch of the L-shape, which corresponds, respectively, to thefirst portion (8) and the third portion (11), extends in a substantiallyperpendicular way to the longitudinal axis of the ski, when the base (2)is fixed to the ski, and the second branch of the L-shape, whichcorresponds, respectively, to the second portion (9) and the fourthportion (12), extends, starting from the first branch, obliquely withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the ski, when the base (2) is fixedto the ski, and is connected to the first branch by means of aconnecting branch.

Alternatively, in an embodiment that is not illustrated, the first guide(7) can extend along a broken line, in other words the first guide (7)can comprise at least a first fitting, interposed between the firstportion (8) and the second portion (9) to connect them, or it can alsoinclude a first series of fittings interposed between the first portion(8) and the second portion (9) to connect them.

Likewise, the second guide (10) can extend along a broken line, in otherwords the second guide (10) can comprise at least a second fitting,interposed between the third portion (11) and the fourth portion (12) toconnect them, or it can also include a second series of fittingsinterposed between the third portion (11) and the fourth portion (12) toconnect them.

The first portion (8) preferably extends in an arc of circumferencehaving the relative centre at the region of space in which the heel ofthe ski boot rests on the heel-piece when the base (2) is fixed to theski, to facilitate the unhooking of the ski boot starting from the firsthooked configuration of the ski boot (A1). Likewise, the third portion(11) preferably extends in an arc of circumference having the relativecentre at the region of space in which the heel of the ski boot rests onthe heel-piece when the base (2) is fixed to the ski, to facilitate theunhooking of the ski boot starting from the first hooked configurationof the ski boot (A1). In particular with reference to the preferredembodiment illustrated in the figures (see for example FIGS. 1B, 1F, 2B,2F, 3B, 3F, 4B, and 4F) the first portion (8) and the third portion (11)extend as two relative arcs of circumference having a radius that issubstantially identical to the distance between the toe-piece of the skibinding (1) and the heel-piece for binding to the ski, when the when thebase (2) is fixed to the ski.

The arc of circumference conformation of the first portion (8) and thethird portion (11) is advantageously such that, during the passage fromthe first hooked configuration of the ski boot (A1) to the secondunhooked configuration of the ski boot (S2), the urges to which the skiboot will be subjected, and therefore the skier's foot, while the firstcouple of sliding elements (13) and/or the second couple of slidingelements (16) travel along the first portion (8) and/or/the thirdportion (11) are reduced with respect to those which the ski boot willbe subjected when travelling along a straight portion.

Alternatively, according to an embodiment, not illustrated, the firstportion (8) and the third portion (11) might be two straight segments.

The first sliding element (14) preferably comprises a first rotatableroller (44). The first rotatable roller (44) is preferably rotatablewith respect to an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the base(2).

The first sliding element (14) preferably also comprises a first support(63) which is fixed to the first jaw (3) and which rotatably supportsthe first rotatable roller (44).

The second sliding element (15) also preferably comprises a secondrotatable roller (45) which is rotatable with respect to an axis that issubstantially perpendicular to the base (2).

The second sliding element (15) preferably also comprises a secondsupport (64) which is fixed to the first jaw (3) and which rotatablysupports the second rotatable roller (45) (see for example FIGS. 1H, 2H,3H and 4H).

The first rotatable roller (44) and the second rotatable roller (45) canadvantageously roll along the first guide (7), reducing the frictionforces, in passing from one configuration to another among those whichthe toe-piece of the ski binding (1) can assume.

Likewise, the third sliding element (17) preferably comprises a thirdrotatable roller (46). The third rotatable roller (46) is preferablyrotatable with respect to an axis that is substantially perpendicular tothe base (2).

The third sliding element (17) preferably also comprises a third support(65) which is fixed to the second jaw (4) and which rotatably supportsthe third rotatable roller (46).

Further, the fourth sliding element (18) also preferably comprises afourth rotatable roller (47) which is rotatable with respect to an axisthat is substantially perpendicular to the base (2). Further, the fourthsliding element (18) preferably also comprises a fourth support (66)which is fixed to the second jaw (4) and which rotatably supports thefourth rotatable roller (47) (see for example FIGS. 1H, 2H, 3H and 4H).

The third rotatable roller (46) and the fourth rotatable roller (47) canadvantageously roll along the second guide (10), reducing the frictionforces, in passing from one configuration to another among those whichthe toe-piece of the ski binding (1) can assume.

The toe-piece of a ski binding (1) preferably comprises stabilizingmeans (19) which are configured so as to maintain the toe-piece of theski binding (1) in the first hooked configuration of the ski boot (A1)when the toe-piece of the ski binding (1) is in the first hookedconfiguration of the ski boot (A1). Further, the toe-piece of the skibinding (1) is preferably configured in such a way that starting fromthe first hooked configuration of the ski boot (A1), when a firsttransversal force directed outwardly, which exceeds a first thresholdvalue, acts on the first jaw (3) then the first couple of slidingelements (13) performs the third run along the first guide (7) and atleast one from between the first sliding element (14) and the secondsliding element (15) of the first couple of sliding elements (13) isarranged in the second portion (9) of the first guide (7), so that thetoe-piece of the ski binding (1) reaches the second unhookedconfiguration of the ski boot (S2). Further, the toe-piece of the skibinding (1) is configured in such a way that starting from the firsthooked configuration of the ski boot (A1), when a second transversalforce directed outwardly, which exceeds a second threshold value, actson the second jaw (4), then the second couple of sliding elements (16)carries out the fourth run along the second guide (10) and at least onefrom between the third sliding element (17) and the fourth slidingelement (18) of the second couple of sliding elements (16) is arrangedin the fourth portion (12) of the second guide (10), so that thetoe-piece of the ski binding (1) reaches the second unhookedconfiguration of the ski boot (S2).

The stabilizing means (19) are preferably designed so as to pressagainst the first jaw (3) and against the second jaw (4) at least whenthe toe-piece of the ski binding (1) is in the first hookedconfiguration of the ski boot (A1), so that the first jaw (3) assumes afirst stable balanced position (E1) along the first guide (7) or tendsto reach the first stable balanced position (E1) after the firsttransversal force and directed outwardly, smaller than the firstthreshold value, has urged the first jaw (3), and so that the second jaw(4) assumes a second stable balanced position (E2) along the secondguide (10) or tends to reach the second stable balanced position (E2)after the second transversal force and directed outwardly, smaller thanthe second threshold value, has urged the second jaw (4) (see FIG. 1E).

The stabilizing means (19) advantageously make it such that the firstjaw (3) and the second jaw (4) can move respectively from the firststable balanced position (E1) and from the second stable balancedposition (E2) only if subjected to an outside force, in particular to anexternal force that has at least one transversal component and directedoutwards, so as to exceed a first threshold value and/or a secondthreshold value. Therefore, by appropriately choosing the thresholdvalue using an adequate design of the stabilizing means, the skier canbe saved from injury by guaranteeing the unhooking of the toe-piece ofthe ski binding (1) from the ski boot when the transversal force (i.e.it is greater than the first threshold value or the second thresholdvalue) and, at the same time, by preventing involuntary unhooking due tooutside forces lower than the threshold value, in these cases returningthe first jaw (3) and the second jaw (4), respectively, towards thefirst stable balanced position (E1) and the second stable balancedposition (E2).

The first threshold value and the second threshold value are preferablyidentical to one another.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1A-1L and 3A-3L, the stabilizingmeans (19) can press against the first jaw (3) and against the secondjaw (4) also in the first hooked configuration (A1) and in the secondunhooked configuration of the ski boot (S2).

The toe-piece of a ski binding (1) preferably further comprises a firstabutting element (20) which is borne by the first jaw (3) and a secondabutting element (21) which is borne by the second jaw (4). Further, thestabilizing means (19) preferably comprise a pusher member (22) so as topress against the first jaw (3) and against the second jaw (4), whichpusher member (22) acts along the longitudinal axis of the ski, when thebase (2) is fixed to the ski, and comprises a first seating (23)conformed to receive the first abutting element (20) at least when thetoe-piece of the ski binding (1) is in the first hooked configuration ofthe ski boot (A1), so that the first jaw (3) can assume the first stablebalanced position (E1), and a second seating (24) having a shapeconformed such as to receive the second abutting element (21) at leastwhen the toe-piece of the ski binding (1) is in the first hookedconfiguration of the ski boot (A1), so that the second jaw (4) canassume the second stable balanced position (E2) (see FIG. 1E).

With a single pusher member (22) it will be advantageously possible toact at the same time, and with a stabilizing action of the sameintensity, on the first jaw (3), by means of the first abutting element(20), and on the second jaw (4), by means of the second abutting element(21), thus guaranteeing that there is symmetry with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the ski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski,among the forces acting on the first jaw (3) and on the second jaw (4).

Alternatively, according to an embodiment, not illustrated, thestabilizing means (19) might comprise a first stabilizing element, forexample a first pusher member, or a first spring, or a first cam,arranged and designed to act on the first jaw (3), at least when thetoe-piece of the ski binding (1) is in the first hooked configuration ofthe ski boot (A1), and a second stabilizing element, for example asecond pusher, or a second spring, or a second cam, arranged anddesigned to act on the second jaw (4), at least when the toe-piece ofthe ski binding (1) is in the first hooked configuration of the ski boot(A1).

The pusher member (22) preferably pushes towards the rear part of theski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski.

The first abutting element (20) can preferably be a part of the firstjaw (3) (see FIGS. 1E, 1H, 2E, 2H, 3E, 4E and 4H).

Likewise, the second abutting element (21) can preferably be a part ofthe second jaw (4) (see FIGS. 1E, 2E, 3E, 3H and 4E).

The first abutting element (20) preferably comprises a fifth rotatableroller (67) which is rotatable with respect to an axis that issubstantially perpendicular to the base (2). In this way, during thepassage from the first unhooked configuration of the ski boot (S1) tothe first hooked configuration of the ski boot (A1), and vice versa, andduring the passage from the first hooked configuration of the ski boot(A1) to the second unhooked configuration of the ski boot (S2), e viceversa, the fifth rotatable roller (67) rolls along the pusher member(22), reducing the friction forces to a minimum and, at the same time,facilitating the repositioning of the first jaw (3) in the position thatit assumes in the first hooked configuration (A1) of the ski boot, afterthe second unhooked configuration of the ski boot (S2) has been reached(see in particular FIGS. 1H, 2H, 3H and 4H).

Alternatively, the first abutting element (20) can be a cylindricalelement fixed to the first jaw (3), or it can be in a single body withthe first jaw (3).

Likewise, the second abutting element (21) preferably comprises a sixthrotatable roller (68) which is rotatable with respect to an axis that issubstantially perpendicular to the base (2). In this way, during thepassage from the first unhooked configuration of the ski boot (S1) tothe first hooked configuration of the ski boot (A1), and vice versa, andduring the passage from the first hooked configuration of the ski boot(A1) to the second unhooked configuration of the ski boot (S2), and viceversa, the sixth rotatable roller (68) rolls along the pusher member(22), reducing the friction forces to a minimum and, at the same time,facilitating the repositioning of the second jaw (4) in the positionthat it assumes in the first hooked configuration (A1) of the ski boot,after the second unhooked configuration of the ski boot (S2) has beenreached (see in particular FIGS. 1H, 2H, 3H and 4H).

Alternatively, the second abutting element (21) can be a cylindricalelement fixed to the second jaw (4), or it can be in a single body withthe second jaw (4).

The first seat (23) and the second seat (24) are dimensioned anddesigned in order to adapt to the different dimensions of the ski boot.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1E, 2E, 3E and 4E, the first seat(23) is preferably concave. Likewise, the second seat (24) is preferablyconcave.

Alternatively, in an embodiment that is not illustrated, the first seat(23) can be V- or L-shaped. Likewise, the second seating (24) can be V-or L-shaped.

In a further embodiment, not illustrated, the first seating (23) and thesecond seating (24) can be adjacent and consecutive, so as to constitutea prolongation of the other.

Further, the pusher member (22) preferably comprises: a first wall (25)which is adjacent to the first seating (23), which is more external withrespect to the first seating (23), which is facing outwards and which isinclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ski, when the base(2) is fixed to the ski, to push the first abutting element (20) andthus draw the first jaw (3) along the third run of the first guide (7),guaranteeing the reaching of the second unhooked configuration of theski boot (S2), after a first transversal force and directed outwardly,which exceeds the first threshold value, has urged the first jaw (3); asecond wall (26) which is adjacent to the second seating (24), which ismore external with respect to the second seating (24), which is facingoutwards and which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis ofthe ski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski, to push the secondabutting element (21) and thus draw the second jaw (4) along the fourthrun, guaranteeing the reaching of the second unhooked configuration ofthe ski boot (S2), after a second transversal force and directedoutwardly, which exceeds the second threshold value, has urged thesecond jaw (4) (see FIGS. 1E, 2E, 3E and 4E).

The conformation of the first wall (25) and the second wall (26), inparticular the inclination thereof, is advantageously such as toguarantee that, once the first abutting element (20), subjected to afirst transversal force directed outwardly, reaches the first wall (25)and/or the second abutting element (21), subjected to a secondtransversal force and directed outwardly, reaches the second wall (26),then the first wall (25) and/or the second wall (26) act/s on the firstabutting element (20) and/or on the second abutting element (21) bytransmitting a force having a transversal component directed towards theoutside which will be added to the first transversal force directedtowards the outside and/or the second transversal force directed towardsthe outside, thus contributing to push the first abutting element (20)and/or the second abutting element (21) along the third run and/or thefourth run up to reaching the second unhooked configuration of the skiboot (S2).

In other words, the first wall (25) and the second wall (26)advantageously guarantee the reaching of the second unhookedconfiguration of the ski boot (S2) each time the toe-piece of the skibinding (1) or the ski boot is subjected to a transversal force directedtowards the outside, greater than the first threshold value and/or thesecond threshold value, thus safeguarding the skier from injury. Infact, once a limit position abutment element has been exceeded, at whichthe first contact with the first abutting element (20) and/or the secondabutting element (21) takes place with the first wall (25) and/or withthe second wall (26), the first abutting element (20) and/or the secondabutting element (21) running along the first guide (7) and/or thesecond guide (10) can no longer return to take on the first stablebalanced position (E1) and/or the second stable balanced position (E2)but are inevitably induced to perform the third run and/or the fourthrun reaching the second unhooked configuration ski boot (S2).

The pusher member (22) preferably comprises: a central body (48); afirst wing (49) which bears the first seating (23) and the first wall(25); and a second wing (50), opposite the first wing (49), which bearsthe second seating (24) and the second wall (26) (see FIGS. 1E, 2E, 3Eand 4E).

Still with reference to FIGS. 1E, 2E, 3E and 4E, the first wall (25) ispreferably consecutive to the first seating (23). Alternatively, thesecond wall (26) is preferably consecutive to the second seating (24).

With particular reference to FIGS. 1E, 2E, 3E and 4E, the first seating(23) preferably comprises: a third wall (51) which is facing outwardsand which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ski,when the base (2) is fixed to the ski; and a fourth wall (52) which isfacing inwards and which is inclined with respect to the longitudinalaxis of the ski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski. Still withreference to FIGS. 1E, 2E, 3E and 4E, the third wall (51) and the fourthwall (52) intersect one another at a rounded angle in order to receivethe first abutting element (20) when the first jaw (3) assumes the firststable balanced position (E1).

With reference to FIGS. 1E, 2E, 3E and 4E, the second seating (24)preferably comprises: a fifth wall (53) which is facing outwards andwhich is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ski, whenthe base (2) is fixed to the ski; and a sixth wall (54) which is facinginwards and which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis ofthe ski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski. Still with reference toFIGS. 1E, 2E, 3E and 4E, the fourth wall (52) and the fifth wall (53)intersect one another at a rounded angle in order to receive the secondabutting element (21) when the second jaw (34) assumes the second stablebalanced position (E2).

With particular reference to FIGS. 1H, 2H, 3H and 4H, the first slidingelement (14) preferably comprises the, or is identifiable as the, firstabutting element (20) and wherein the third sliding element (17)comprises, or is identifiable as, the second abutting element (21).

The toe-piece of the ski binding (1) will advantageously comprise asmaller number of components, with all the advantages that follow interms of reduction of the volumes, compactness and simplicity ofrealisation of the toe-piece of the ski binding (1).

Preferably, with particular reference to FIGS. 1B, 1D, 1F, 1H, 2B, 2D,2F, 2H, 3B, 3D, 3F, 3H, 4B, 4D, 4F and 4H the first sliding element (14)is arranged closer to the longitudinal axis of the ski, when the base(2) is fixed to the ski, with respect to the second sliding element(15), and the third sliding element (17) is arranged closer to thelongitudinal axis of the ski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski,with respect to the fourth sliding element (18).

The first jaw (3) is preferably provided with a first recess (27) foraccommodating a first portion (28) of the pusher member (22) whichcomprises at least the first wall (25); the first recess (27) and thesecond sliding element (15) are arranged at different heights to oneanother, in order to prevent the second sliding element (15) fromobstructing the pusher member (22) (see FIGS. 1H, 2H, 3H and 4H).Further, the second jaw (4) is preferably provided with a second recess(29) for accommodating a second portion (30) of the pusher member (22)which comprises at least the second wall (26); the second recess (29)and the fourth sliding element (18) are arranged at different heights toone another, in order to prevent the fourth sliding element (18) fromobstructing the pusher member (22) (see FIGS. 1H, 2H, 3H and 4H).

The reciprocal arrangement of the first recess (27) and the secondsliding element (15) as well as the second recess (29) and the fourthsliding element (18) is preferably such as to best exploit the spacesand reduce the volumes and weights, thus guaranteeing the compactnessand lightness of the toe-piece of the ski binding (1).

In detail, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski and the ski is arrangedon a horizontal plane, then the first recess (27) is preferably arrangedat a greater height with respect to the second sliding element (15).Likewise, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski and the ski is arrangedon a horizontal plane, then the second recess (29) is preferablyarranged at a greater height with respect to the fourth sliding element(18).

The first portion (28) of the pusher member (22) preferably alsocomprises the first seating (23) and likewise the second portion (30)also comprises the second seating (24), see for example FIGS. 1E, 3E(only with reference to the second portion (30)), and 4E.

The stabilizing means (19) preferably further comprise elastic means(31) which are interposed between the base (2) and the pusher member(22) to push the pusher member (22) along the longitudinal axis of theski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski (see FIGS. 1E, 1G, 1L, 2E,2G, 2L, 3E, 3G, 3L, 4E, 4G and 4L).

By appropriately selecting, and/or pre-loading, the elastic means (31),the first threshold value and the second threshold value canadvantageously be set so as to protect the skier from injury.

Alternatively, magnetic means, not illustrated, could be used instead ofthe elastic means (31).

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1E, 1G, 1L, 2E, 2G, 2L, 3E, 3G,3L, 4E, 4G and 4L, the elastic means (31) comprise a pre-compressedspring (55), which is regulated by means of an adjustment screw (56) soas to define the first threshold value and the second threshold value.

The toe-piece of a ski binding (1) preferably comprises activating means(32) which are designed to act on the first jaw (3) and on the secondjaw (4) at least so as to induce the toe-piece of the ski binding (1) topass from the first hooked configuration of the ski boot (A1) to thefirst unhooked configuration of the ski boot (S1) and vice versa (seeFIGS. 1A, 1B, 1I, 1L, 2A, 2B, 2I, 2L, 3A, 3B, 3I, 3L, 4A, 4B, 4I and4L).

The toe-piece of the ski binding (1) preferably further comprises: athird abutting element (33) which is borne by first jaw (3); and afourth abutting element (34) which is borne by the second jaw (4) (seeFIGS. 1G, 1H, 1I, 2G, 2H, 2I, 3G, 3H, 3I, 4G, 4H and 4I). Further, theactivating means (32) preferably comprise a cursor (35) which is mobilealong the longitudinal axis of the ski, when the base (2) is fixed tothe ski, at least between a first position (P1) and a second position(P2), and which comprises a first contact profile (36) for contactingthe third abutting element (33) and a second contact profile (37) forcontacting the fourth abutting element (34). The conformation andavailability of the first contact profile (36) of the cursor (35), ofthe pusher member (22) and of the third abutting element (33) and theconformation and availability of the second contact profile (37) of thecursor (35), of the pusher member (22) and of the fourth abuttingelement (34) is such that the movement of the cursor (35) from the firstposition (P1) to the second position (P2) enables the toe-piece of theski binding (1) to pass respectively from the first unhookedconfiguration of the ski boot (S1) to the first hooked configuration ofthe ski boot (A1), and the movement of the cursor (35) from the secondposition (P2) to the first position (P1) induces the passage of thetoe-piece for the ski binding (1) from the first hooked configuration ofthe ski boot (A1) to the first unhooked configuration of the ski boot(S1) (see FIGS. 1G, 1I, 2G, 2I, 3G, 3I, 4G and 4I).

The conformation and arrangement of the first contact profile (36) ofthe cursor (35), of the pusher member (22) and of the third abuttingelement (33) and of the second contact profile (37) of the cursor (35),of the pusher member (22) and of the fourth abutting element (34)advantageously enables easily passing from the first unhookedconfiguration of the ski boot (S1) to the first hooked configuration ofthe ski boot (A1), and vice versa, by moving only the cursor (35).

The third abutting element (33) can preferably be a part of the firstjaw (3) (see FIGS. 1H, 2H, and 4H).

The fourth abutting element (34) can preferably be a part of the secondjaw (4) (see FIG. 3H).

In detail, the third abutting element (33) can be a seventh rotatableroller (69) borne rotatably by the first jaw (3), as in the illustratedembodiment (see FIGS. 1G, 1H, 2G, 2H, 3G, 4G and 4H), or it can be acylindrical element fixed to the first jaw (3), or can be in a singlebody with the first jaw (3).

Likewise, the fourth abutting element (34) can be an eighth rotatableroller (70) rotatably borne by the first jaw (3), as in the embodimentillustrated (see FIGS. 1G, 2G, 3G, 3H and 4G), or it can be acylindrical element fixed to the second jaw (4), or can be in a singlebody with the second jaw (4).

The cursor (35) is preferably slidably interposed between the pushermember (22) and the base (2).

The cursor (35) and the second sliding element (15) are preferablyarranged at different heights to one another, in order to prevent thesecond sliding element (15) from obstructing the cursor (35) (see FIGS.1H, 2H, 3H, 4H, 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G).

Likewise, the cursor (35) and the fourth sliding element (18) arepreferably arranged at different heights to one another, in order toprevent the fourth sliding element (18) from obstructing the cursor (35)(see FIGS. 1H, 2H, 3H, 4H, 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G).

Further, the first sliding element (14) preferably comprises, or isidentifiable the third abutting element (33) and wherein the thirdsliding element (17) comprises the, or is identifiable as the, fourthabutting element (34) (see FIGS. 1H, 2H, 3H and 4H).

The toe-piece of the ski binding (1) will advantageously comprise asmaller number of components, with all the advantages that follow interms of reduction of the volumes, compactness and simplicity ofrealisation of the toe-piece of the ski binding (1).

With particular reference to the embodiment illustrated in the figures(see for example FIGS. 1H, 1I, 2H, 2I, 3I, 3H, 4H, and 4I), the cursor(35) and the pusher member (22) are preferably arranged at differentheights and different with respect to the height at which the firstguide (7) and the second guide (10) are arranged.

This particular configuration advantageously enables best exploiting thethickness of the toe-piece of the ski binding (1) and reducing thenumber of elements constituting the toe-piece of the ski binding (1). Infact, the first guide (7), the pusher member (22) and the cursor (35)are arranged in such a way as to be able to interact, at planes arrangedat different heights, with a single element, which functions as thefirst sliding element (14), as the first abutting element (20) and asthe third abutting element (33). Likewise, the second guide (10), thepusher member (22) and the cursor (35) are arranged in such a way as tobe able to interact, at planes arranged at different heights, with asingle element, which functions as the third sliding element (17), asthe second abutting element (21) and as the fourth abutting element(34). In this way the number of components constituting the toe-piece ofthe ski binding (1) will be reduced, making it more compact.

In detail, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski and the ski is arrangedon a horizontal plane, then the pusher member (22) is preferablyarranged at a greater height with respect to the cursor (35), which inturn is arranged at a greater height than the first guide (7) and thesecond guide (10) (see for example FIGS. 1H, 1I, 2H, 2I, 3H, 3I, 4H and4I).

The cursor (35) is preferably mobile so as also to reach a thirdposition (P3). The first contact profile (36) and the second contactprofile (37) are conformed in such a way that when the cursor (35)reaches the third position (P3), the first contact profile (36) blocksthe movement of the third abutting element (33), and thus of the firstjaw (3) along the first guide (7), and the second contact profile (37)blocks the movement of the fourth abutting element (34), and thus of thesecond jaw (4) along the second guide (10). The toe-piece of the skibinding (1) is configured so as to assume a second hooked configurationof the ski boot (A2), for hooking the tip of a ski boot, wherein thefirst pin (5) and the second pin (6) are located away from one anotherby the first distance, which second hooked configuration of the ski boot(A2) is obtained starting from the first hooked configuration of the skiboot (A1) by moving the cursor (35) from the second position (P2) to thethird position (P3).

The toe-piece of the ski binding (1) of the invention is advantageouslyconfigured in such a way that it can be used for ski mountaineering, byenabling the blocking of the toe-piece of the ski binding (1) when forexample it is necessary to carry out uphill portions.

The second hooked configuration of the ski boot (A2) is, in fact, theconfiguration that the toe-piece of the ski binding (1) can assume whenthe skier is to perform uphill portions.

The second hooked configuration of the ski boot (A2) could also beobtained starting from the first hooked configuration of the ski boot(A1), passing through the first unhooked configuration of the ski boot(A1).

With particular reference to FIGS. 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G, the first contactprofile (36) preferably comprises: a first sliding wall (57) forabutting the third abutting element (33) until the cursor (35) assumesthe second position (P2); a first blocking wall (58) for receiving thethird abutting element (33) and blocking it until the cursor (35)assumes the first position (P1); and a second blocking wall (59) forreceiving the third abutting element (33) and blocking it until thecursor (35) assumes the third position (P3).

With particular reference to FIGS. 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G, the secondprofiled contact element (37) preferably comprises a second sliding wall(60) for abutting the fourth abutting element (34) until the cursor (35)assumes the second position (P2); a third blocking wall (61) forreceiving the fourth abutting element (34) and blocking it until thecursor (35) assumes the first position (P1); and a fourth blocking wall(62) for receiving the fourth abutting element (34) and blocking ituntil the cursor (35) assumes the third position (P3).

The activating means (32) preferably comprise a manual lever (38) whichis connected to the cursor (35) in order to move the cursor (35) atleast from the first position (P1) to the second position (P2), and abutton (39) which is connected to the cursor (35) in order to move thecursor (35) from the first position (P1) to the second position (P2) andwhich is arranged so as to be pressed by the ski boot.

It will advantageously be very simple for the skier to pass from oneconfiguration to another of the toe-piece of the ski binding (1), simplyby rotating the manual lever (38), or pressing the button (39) with theski boot. In detail, during the passage from the first unhookedconfiguration of the ski boot (S1) to the first hooked configuration ofthe ski boot (A1), the skier will only have to press the button (39)which will consequently move the cursor (35) in order to move the cursor(35) from the first position (P1) to the second position (P2); in orderto pass from the first hooked configuration of the ski boot (A1) to thefirst unhooked configuration of the ski boot (51) it will be sufficientto rotate the manual lever (38) in a first rotation direction (i.e. inan anticlockwise direction, compare FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1I and 1L with FIGS.2A, 2B, 2I and 2L) in order to activate the cursor (35) to move from thesecond position (P2) to the first position (P1); and in order to passfrom the first hooked configuration of the ski boot (A1) to the secondhooked configuration of the ski boot (A2) it will be sufficient torotate the manual lever (38) in a second rotation direction, oppositethe first rotation direction (i.e. in a clockwise direction, compareFIGS. 1A, 1B, 1I and 1L with FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4I and 4L) in order toactivate the cursor (35) to move from the second position (P2) to thethird position (P3).

In detail, with particular reference to FIGS. 1I, 2I, 3I and 4I, themanual lever (38) is rotatably connected to the cursor (35) by means ofa pin (71) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ski, when thebase (2) is fixed to the ski, so that by rotating the manual lever (38)in the first rotation direction the cursor (35) can pass from the thirdposition (P3), to the second position (P2) and/or to the first position(P1) while by rotating the manual lever (38) in the second rotationdirection the cursor (35) can pass from the third position (P1), to thesecond position (P2) and/or to the first position (P3).

With particular reference to FIGS. 1L, 2L, 3L and 4L, the cursor (35) isconnected to the button (39) by means of a connecting element (72) whichis arranged and conformed in such a way as to push the cursor (35) bymoving it towards the front part of the ski along the longitudinal axisof the ski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski, from the firstposition (P1) and a second position (P2) each time the button (39) ispressed.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1I, 2I, 3I and 4I the base (2) bears,in the front part of the ski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski, ablocking seating (73) and the end of the cursor (35) which is at thefront part of the ski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski, ispreferably conformed so as to slide along the blocking seating (73) soas to be able to assume, with respect to the blocking seating (73), afirst blocking position (B1), when the toe-piece of the ski binding (1)is in the first hooked configuration of the ski boot (A1) and the cursor(35) assumes the second position (P2), and a second blocking position(B2), when the toe-piece of the ski binding (1) is in the second hookedconfiguration of the ski boot (A2) and the cursor (35) assumes the thirdposition (P3).

It will be advantageously possible to block the toe-piece of the skibinding (1) with more certainty.

There follows a functional description of the toe-piece of a ski binding(1) of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A-2L illustrate the first unhooked configuration of the ski boot(S1), i.e. the configuration in which the toe-piece of the ski binding(1) is ready to receive a ski boot. In the first unhooked configurationof the ski boot (S1): the first pin (5) and the second pin (6) arelocated away from one another by a second distance, which is such as toenable the insertion of the ski boot between them; the button (39) israised and the manual lever (38) is lowered so that the cursor (35)assumes the first position (P1) in which it abuts the third abuttingelement (33) (which in the preferred illustrated embodiment is the firstsliding element (14)) at the first blocking wall (58) and the fourthabutting element (34) (which in the preferred illustrated embodiment isthe third sliding element (17)) at the third blocking wall (61).Further, in the first unhooked configuration of the ski boot (S1) thefirst sliding element (14) is located in the first portion (8) of thefirst guide (7); the third sliding element (17) is located in the thirdportion (11) of the second guide (10); the elastic means (31) push thepusher member (22) along the longitudinal axis of the ski towards therear part of the ski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski; and thepusher member (22), in turn, pushes against the first jaw (3), by meansof the first abutting element (20) (which in the preferred illustratedembodiment is the first sliding element (14)), and against the secondjaw (4), via the second abutting element (21) (which in the preferredillustrated embodiment is the third sliding element (17)). However,notwithstanding the force exerted by the pusher member (22), the firstjaw (3) and the second jaw (4) maintain the position thereof by means ofthe first blocking wall (58) and of the third blocking wall (61) whichprevent the third abutting element (33) and the fourth abutting element(34) from moving along the transversal direction to the longitudinalaxis of the ski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski, and theconstraint provided by the first guide (7) and the second guide (10) onthe first sliding element (14) and on the third sliding element (17)along the direction of the longitudinal axis of the ski, when the whenthe base (2) is fixed to the ski.

FIGS. 1A-1L illustrate the first unhooked configuration of the ski boot(A1) having been reached, starting from the first hooked configurationof the ski boot (S1), after the skier has positioned the ski boot so asto press on the button (39), so as to induce, by means of the connectingelement (72), a displacement of the cursor (35) towards the front partof the ski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski, up to assuming thesecond position (P2), in which the cursor (35) contacts the thirdabutting element (33) at the first sliding wall (57) and the fourthabutting element (34) at the second sliding wall (60). In the secondposition (P2) the cursor (35) thus enables the third abutting element(33) and the fourth abutting element (34), when the blocking actionexerted thereon by the first blocking wall (58) and the third blockingwall (61) has been removed, to move, drawing the first jaw (3) and thesecond jaw (4), respectively, along the first sliding wall (57) and thesecond sliding wall (60), then towards the longitudinal axis of the ski,when the base (2) is fixed to the ski, and along the longitudinal axisof the ski towards the rear part of the ski, when the base (2) is fixedto the ski. However, this last movement along the longitudinal axis ofthe ski towards the rear part of the ski, when the base (2) is fixed tothe ski, is prevented by the constraint provided in that direction bythe first guide (7) and the second guide (10); in fact, in thisconfiguration, the first sliding element (14) and the third slidingelement (17) stay, respectively, in the first portion (8) of the firstguide (7) and the third portion (11) of the second guide (10),preventing the movement of the first jaw (3) and of the second jaw (4)along the direction of the longitudinal axis of the ski, when the base(2) is fixed to the ski, and enabling only the movement towards thelongitudinal axis of the ski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski. Thedisplacement of the first jaw (3), and thus of the first abuttingelement (20), and the second jaw (4), and then of the second abuttingelement (21) towards the longitudinal axis of the ski, when the base (2)is fixed to the ski, it enables the pusher member (22), under the effectof the force exerted by the elastic means (31), to translate along thedirection of the longitudinal axis of the ski towards the rear part ofthe ski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski, up to receiving thefirst abutting element (20) and the second abutting element (21)respectively at the first seat (23) and the second seat (24), so thatthe first jaw (3) and the second jaw (4) respectively assume the firststable balanced position (E1) and the second stable balanced position(E2). Once the first hooked configuration of the ski boot (A1) has beenreached, the first pin (5) and the second pin (6) will be located awayfrom one another by a first distance, so as to keep the ski boot blockedand the end of the cursor (35) that is at the front part of the ski,when the when the base (2) is fixed to the ski, assumes the firstblocking position (B1).

FIGS. 3A-3L illustrate the second unhooked configuration of the ski boot(S2) reached, starting from the first hooked configuration of the skiboot (A1), after the first jaw (3) and/or the second jaw (4) is/aresubjected to a first transversal force and directed outwards and/or to asecond transversal force and directed outwards that is greater than thefirst threshold value and/or the second threshold value.

Consider for example the case in which the first jaw (3) is urged by afirst transversal force and directed outwardly: the first force wouldtend to induce the first abutting element (20), which was located at thefirst seat (23), and the first sliding element (14) (which is identifiedby the first abutting element (20)), which is located in the firstportion (8) of the first guide (7), to move away with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the ski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski,moving, respectively, along the fourth wall (52) of the pusher member(22) and the first portion (8) of the first guide (7), drawing the firstjaw (3) in movement. This movement is contrasted by the actiontransmitted by the pusher member (22) to the first abutting element(20), while it is moving along the fourth wall (52), and in particularby the transversal component with respect to the longitudinal axis ofthe ski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski, of that action, whichwill be directed inwards and therefore is opposite the first transversalforce. If the first transversal force has an intensity that is such asto overcome the transversal component of the force exerted by the pushermember (22) on the first abutting element (20) at the fourth wall (52),then the first abutting element (20) will run along all the fourth wall(52) up to arriving at the first wall (25), thus making the unhooking ofthe first jaw (3) and the reaching of the second unhooked configurationof the ski boot (S2). In fact, the first wall (25), given itsinclination, acts on the first abutting element (20) and transmits aforce having a transversal component directed towards the outside whichwill be added to the first transversal force thus contributing to pushthe first abutting element (20) along the third run up to reaching thesecond unhooked configuration of the ski boot (S2).

Once the second unhooked configuration of the ski boot (S2) has beenreached, in order to newly utilize the toe-piece of the ski binding (1),the skier will only have to act manually on the first jaw (3) so as toforce the first jaw to travel along the first guide (7), returning tothe first unhooked configuration of the ski boot (S1) or the firsthooked configuration of the ski boot (A1).

A like behaviour takes place in a case where a second transversal forcedirected outwardly is applied to the second jaw (4).

FIGS. 4A-4L illustrate the second hooked configuration of the ski boot(A2) reached, starting from the first hooked configuration of the skiboot (A1) simply by rotating the manual lever (38) in the clockwisedirection and thus inducing a movement of the cursor (35) towards thefront part of the ski, when the base (2) is fixed to the ski, up toassuming the third position (P3), in which the cursor (35) embraces thethird abutting element (33) at the second blocking wall (59) and thefourth abutting element (34) at the fourth blocking wall (62), opposingthe movement of the third abutting element (33) and the fourth abuttingelement (34), and thus of the first jaw (3) and the second jaw (4).Further, the first sliding element (14) and the third sliding element(17) stay, respectively, in the first portion (8) of the first guide (7)and the third portion (11) of the second guide (10), preventing themovement of the first sliding element (14) and therefore of the firstjaw (3), and of the third sliding element (17), and thus of the secondjaw (4), along the direction of the longitudinal axis of the ski, whenthe base (2) is fixed to the ski. Further, the maintaining of theposition is guaranteed by the fact that the end of the cursor (35) thatis at the front part of the ski, when the when the base (2) is fixed tothe ski, assumes the second blocking position (B2).

It is understood that the above has been described by way ofnon-limiting example and that any constructional variants are consideredto fall within the protective scope of the present technical solution,as claimed in the following.

1. A toe-piece of a ski binding, comprising: a base which is fixable toa ski; a first jaw; a second jaw; a first pin for inserting in a firstlateral hole fashioned in the tip of a ski boot, which first pin isborne by the first jaw; a second pin for inserting in a second lateralhole opposite the first lateral hole fashioned in the tip of the skiboot, which second pin is borne by the second jaw; a first guide whichis borne by the base, which has a first portion which extends away fromthe longitudinal axis of the ski, when the base is fixed to the ski, andwhich has a second portion, following the first portion, which extendstowards the front part of the ski, when the base is fixed to the ski; asecond guide which is borne by the base, which has a third portion whichextends away from the longitudinal axis of the ski, when the base isfixed to the ski, and which has a fourth portion, following the thirdportion, which extends towards the front part of the ski, when the baseis fixed to the ski; a first couple of sliding elements which is borneby the first jaw and which is formed by a first sliding element and asecond sliding element, which first sliding element and second slidingelement slidably engage, one following the other, along the first guide;a second couple of sliding elements which is borne by the second jaw andwhich is formed by a third sliding element and a fourth sliding element,which third sliding element and fourth sliding element slidably engage,one following the other, along the second guide; wherein the toe-pieceof the ski binding is configured so as to assume: a first hookedconfiguration of the ski boot, for hooking the tip of a ski boot,wherein the first pin and the second pin are located away from oneanother by a first distance, wherein the first sliding element and thesecond sliding element are located in the first portion of the firstguide, wherein the third sliding element and the fourth sliding elementare located in the third portion of the second guide; a first unhookedconfiguration of the ski boot, for unhooking the tip of a ski boot,which first unhooked configuration of the ski boot is obtained startingfrom the first hooked configuration of the ski boot after the firstcouple of sliding elements has carried out a first run along the firstguide and the second couple of sliding elements has carried out a secondrun along the second guide, so that the first pin and the second pinreach a second distance that is greater than the first distance; asecond unhooked configuration of the ski boot, for unhooking the tip ofa ski boot, which second unhooked configuration of the ski boot isobtained starting from the first hooked configuration of the ski bootafter the at least one from between the first couple of sliding elementsand the second couple of sliding elements has carried out a third runand/or a fourth run, longer than the first run and second run,respectively along the first guide and/or the second guide, wherein atleast one from between the first sliding element and the second slidingelement of the first couple of sliding elements is arranged in thesecond portion of the first guide and/or wherein at least one frombetween the third sliding element and the fourth sliding element of thesecond couple of sliding elements is arranged in the fourth portion ofthe second guide, so that the first pin and the second pin reach a thirddistance and so that the first pin and/or the second pin is/areorientated obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ski,when the base is fixed to the ski, so that the tip of the ski boot canmove away transversally with respect to the longitudinal axis of theski, when the base is fixed to the ski.
 2. The toe-piece of a skibinding of claim 1, further comprising stabilizing means which areconfigured so as to maintain the toe-piece of the ski binding in thefirst hooked configuration of the ski boot when the toe-piece of the skibinding is in the first hooked configuration of the ski boot; thetoe-piece of the ski binding being configured in such a way thatstarting from the first hooked configuration of the ski boot, when afirst transversal force directed outwardly, which exceeds a firstthreshold value, acts on the first jaw then the first couple of slidingelements performs the third run along the first guide and at least onefrom between the first sliding element and the second sliding element ofthe first couple of sliding elements is arranged in the second portionof the first guide, so that the toe-piece of the ski binding reaches thesecond unhooked configuration of the ski boot; the toe-piece of the skibinding being configured in such a way that starting from the firsthooked configuration of the ski boot, when a second transversal forcedirected outwardly, which exceeds a second threshold value, acts on thesecond jaw, then the second couple of sliding elements carries out thefourth run along the second guide and wherein at least one from betweenthe third sliding element and the fourth sliding element of the secondcouple of sliding elements is arranged in the fourth portion of thesecond guide, so that the toe-piece of the ski binding reaches thesecond unhooked configuration of the ski boot.
 3. The toe-piece of a skibinding of claim 2, wherein: the stabilizing means are designed so as topress against the first jaw and against the second jaw at least when thetoe-piece of the ski binding is in the first hooked configuration of theski boot, so that the first jaw assumes a first stable balanced positionalong the first guide or tends to reach the first stable balancedposition after the first transversal force and directed outwardly,smaller than the first threshold value, has urged the first jaw, so thatthe second jaw assumes a second stable balanced position along thesecond guide or tends to reach the second stable balanced position afterthe second transversal force and directed outwardly, smaller than thesecond threshold value, has urged the second jaw.
 4. The toe-piece of aski binding of claim 3, further comprising: a first abutting elementwhich is borne by the first jaw; and a second abutting element which isborne by the second jaw; the stabilizing means comprising a pushermember so as to press against the first jaw and against the second jaw,which pusher member acts along the longitudinal axis of the ski, whenthe base is fixed to the ski, and comprises a first seating conformed toreceive the first abutting element at least when the toe-piece of theski binding is in the first hooked configuration of the ski boot, sothat the first jaw can assume the first stable balanced position, and asecond seating having a shape conformed such as to receive the secondabutting element at least when the toe-piece of the ski binding is inthe first hooked configuration of the ski boot, so that the second jawcan assume the second stable balanced position.
 5. The toe-piece of aski binding of claim 4, wherein the pusher member comprises: a firstwall which is adjacent to the first seating, which is more external withrespect to the first seating, which is facing outwards and which isinclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ski, when the baseis fixed to the ski, to push the first abutting element and thus drawthe first jaw along the third run of the first guide, guaranteeing thereaching of the second unhooked configuration of the ski boot, after afirst transversal force and directed outwardly, which exceeds the firstthreshold value, has urged the first jaw; and a second wall which isadjacent to the second seating, which is more external with respect tothe second seating, which is facing outwards and which is inclined withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the ski, when the base is fixed tothe ski, to push the second abutting element and thus draw the secondjaw along the fourth run, guaranteeing the reaching of the secondunhooked configuration of the ski boot, after a second transversal forceand directed outwardly, which exceeds the second threshold value, hasurged the second jaw.
 6. The toe-piece of a ski binding of claim 5,wherein the first sliding element is arranged closer to the longitudinalaxis of the ski, when the base is fixed to the ski, with respect to thesecond sliding element, and wherein the third sliding element isarranged closer to the longitudinal axis of the ski, when the base isfixed to the ski, with respect to the fourth sliding element.
 7. Thetoe-piece of a ski binding of claim 6, wherein: the first jaw isprovided with a first recess for accommodating a first portion of thepusher member which comprises at least the first wall; the first recessand the second sliding element are arranged at different heights to oneanother, in order to prevent the second sliding element from obstructingthe pusher member; the second jaw is provided with a second recess foraccommodating a second portion of the pusher member which comprises atleast the second wall; and the second recess and the fourth slidingelement are arranged at different heights to one another, in order toprevent the fourth sliding element from obstructing the pusher member.8. The toe-piece of a ski binding of claim 4, wherein the first slidingelement comprises the, or is identifiable as the, first abutting elementand wherein the third sliding element comprises the, or is identifiableas the, second abutting element.
 9. The toe-piece of a ski binding ofclaim 4, wherein the stabilizing means further comprise elastic meanswhich are interposed between the base and the pusher member to push thepusher member along the longitudinal axis of the ski, when the base isfixed to the ski.
 10. The toe-piece of a ski binding of claim 4,comprising activating means which are designed to act on the first jawand on the second jaw at least so as to induce the toe-piece of the skibinding to pass from the first hooked configuration of the ski boot tothe first unhooked configuration of the ski boot and vice versa.
 11. Thetoe-piece of a ski binding of claim 10, further comprising: a thirdabutting element which is borne by the first jaw; a fourth abuttingelement which is borne by the second jaw; the activating meanscomprising a cursor which is mobile along the longitudinal axis of theski, when the base is fixed to the ski, at least between a firstposition and a second position, and which comprises a first contactprofile for contacting the third abutting element and a second contactprofile for contacting the fourth abutting element; the conformation andavailability of the first contact profile of the cursor, of the pushermember and of the third abutting element and the conformation andavailability of the second contact profile of the cursor, of the pushermember and of the fourth abutting element being such that the movementof the cursor from the first position to the second position enables thetoe-piece of the ski binding to pass respectively from the firstunhooked configuration of the ski boot to the first hooked configurationof the ski boot, and the movement of the cursor from the second positionto the first position induces the passage of the toe-piece for the skibinding from the first hooked configuration of the ski boot to the firstunhooked configuration of the ski boot.
 12. The toe-piece of a skibinding of claim 11, wherein: the cursor is mobile so as also to reach athird position; the first contact profile and the second contact profileare conformed in such a way that when the cursor reaches the thirdposition, the first contact profile blocks the movement of the thirdabutting element, and thus of the first jaw along the first guide, andthe second contact profile blocks the movement of the fourth abuttingelement, and thus of the second jaw along the second guide; thetoe-piece of the ski binding is configured so as to assume a secondhooked configuration of the ski boot, for hooking the tip of a ski boot,wherein the first pin and the second pin are located away from oneanother by the first distance, which second hooked configuration of theski boot is obtained starting from the first hooked configuration of theski boot by moving the cursor from the second position to the thirdposition.
 13. The toe-piece of a ski binding of claim 11, wherein thefirst sliding element comprises, or is identifiable as, the thirdabutting element and wherein the third sliding element comprises, or isidentifiable as, the fourth abutting element.
 14. The toe-piece of a skibinding of claim 10, wherein the activating means comprise a manuallever which is connected to the cursor in order to move the cursor atleast from the first position to the second position, and a button whichis connected to the cursor in order to move the cursor from the firstposition to the second position and which is arranged so as to bepressed by the ski boot.
 15. The toe-piece of a ski binding of claim 1,wherein the first guide is a curved guide and the second guide is acurved guide.